Saraya Awliya al-Dam explained

Saraya Awliya al-Dam
Other Name:SAD
Foundation:August 2020[1]
Country: Iraq
Ideology:Anti-Americanism[2]
Anti-Zionism[3]
Attacks:2021 Erbil rocket attacks
Partof:Popular Mobilization Forces (alleged)
Islamic Resistance in Iraq
Allies: (alleged)

Kata'ib Hezbollah
Popular Mobilization Forces (alleged)[4]
Opponents: United States
Turkey[5]
[6]
War:

Saraya Awliya al-Dam, also referred to by the abbreviation SAD, is a Shi'ite pro-Iran militia based in Iraq. The organization is known for its counter-U.S. operations in Northern Iraq.[7]

In 2021, the group claimed responsibility for the 2021 Erbil rocket attacks, which killed two civilians and injured six more, including an American soldier.[8] [9]

A report by the Washington Institute suggested that they might have connections to Asaib Ahl al-Haq, an Iraqi Shi'a paramilitary.

History

SAD has been described as "a relatively new player" in the Iraqi conflict.[10] The first operation of Saraya Awliya al-Dam occurred on 24 August 2020, when they attacked a group of Iraqi trucks that may have been carrying U.S. goods. The organization confirmed they were responsible.

On 6 January 2021, another attack was launched by SAD on another convoy of trucks.

The day after the 2021 Erbil rocket attacks, SAD claimed responsibility for the airstrikes.[11] [12] [13] It was the most serious attack on the coalition since the Biden administration began.[14] SAD proclaimed:

The American occupation will not be safe from our strikes in any inch of the homeland, even in Kurdistan, where we promise we will carry out other qualitative operations.[15]

Foreign relations

SAD officially supports Iran, and is often classified as an Iranian proxy.[16] Iranian officials have denied allegations by some Iraqi politicians that they have ties to the group.[17] SAD may also have ties to Kataib Hezbollah, which officially backs Iran.

The SAD is generally considered to be at odds with Turkey, and could possibly pose a threat to Turkey–Iran relations in the future.[18] After the Erbil attacks, the SAD announced that they "only targeted American, Turkish, and Israeli occupation bases." The journalist Shelly Kittleson commented:

Though many armed groups and others in the country have, for more than a decade, demanded an end to the "American-Israeli occupation", the addition of "Turkish" is significant.[19]

Many commentators have suggested that SAD could be a front for the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF).[20] [21]

Reports by the Washington Institute suggested that they might have connections to Asaib Ahl al-Haq, an Iraqi Shi'a paramilitary,[22] which is classified as a terrorist organization by the United States.

Criticism

Many critics have described it as a terrorist group.[23] [24] Other commentators have accused Iran of denying their alleged ties to the SAD.[25]

Social media

The militia has a Telegram account, which has been repeatedly noted by different news sources.[26]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Iraq's Resurgent Paramilitaries. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. 8 September 2021. 13 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210913201338/https://carnegieendowment.org/sada/84368. live.
  2. Web site: Iraq's rogue militias: Who can stop them from attacking? | DW | 20.02.2021. DW.COM. 8 September 2021. 29 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210729003413/https://www.dw.com/en/who-can-stop-iraq-rogue-militias-from-attacking/a-56627671. live.
  3. Web site: Iraqi militia claims drone attack on Erbil airport. The New Arab. Staff. 7 July 2021. alaraby.co.uk. 8 September 2021. 10 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210710000941/https://english.alaraby.co.uk/news/iraqi-militia-claims-drone-attack-erbil-airport. live.
  4. Web site: Shadowy militia organisation likely backed by Iran claims fatal Iraq attack on US base . Tollast, Robert . 16 February 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210228152110/https://www.thenationalnews.com/mena/iraq/shadowy-militia-organisation-likely-backed-by-iran-claims-fatal-iraq-attack-on-us-base-1.1166839 . 28 February 2021 .
  5. Web site: Bombs Over Erbil. 17 February 2021. Newlines Magazine. 16 September 2021. 4 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210704035745/https://newlinesmag.com/reportage/bombs-over-erbil/. live.
  6. News: U.S., Kurds Blame Iran for Deadly Irbil Attack Despite Tehran’s Denials: Sources. 16 September 2021. 18 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210618034411/https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2021-02-16/us-kurds-blame-iran-for-deadly-irbil-attack-despite-tehrans-denials-sources. live. Paul D.. Shinkman. US News.
  7. Web site: Profile: Saraya Awliya al-Dam. 8 September 2021. The Washington Institute. en. 17 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210517063835/https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/profile-saraya-awliya-al-dam. live.
  8. Web site: 17 February 2021. Pro-Iran militia claims responsibility for missile attack on Erbil airport. 8 September 2021. Middle East Monitor. en-GB. 8 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210908005753/https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20210217-pro-iran-militia-claims-responsibility-for-missile-attack-on-erbil-airport/. live.
  9. Web site: Erbil rocket victim dies a week after attack | Rudaw.net. 8 September 2021. www.rudaw.net. 4 March 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210304161044/https://www.rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/220220211. live.
  10. Web site: 1 March 2021. Nineveh Plains Transitional Justice Report: February. 8 September 2021. Persecution. en. 8 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210908233756/https://www.persecution.org/2021/03/01/nineveh-plains-transitional-justice-report-february-2/. live.
  11. Web site: 16 February 2021. US-led coalition: No Americans killed in Iraq rocket attack. 8 September 2021. Hindustan Times. en. 8 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210908011314/https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/usled-coalition-no-americans-killed-in-iraq-rocket-attack-101613468310666.html. live.
  12. Web site: Why pro-Iran militias are targeting US forces in Iraq. 8 September 2021. gulfnews.com. 22 February 2021 . en. 24 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210824154016/https://gulfnews.com/world/mena/why-pro-iran-militias-are-targeting-us-forces-in-iraq-1.77369528. live.
  13. Web site: 28 April 2021. Iraq's Shia Militias Send a Warning to Turkey. 8 September 2021. Fair Observer. en-US. 13 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210913201333/https://www.fairobserver.com/region/middle_east_north_africa/bekir-aydogan-mehmet-alaca-bashiqa-base-attack-iraq-militias-iran-turkey-krg-news-12019/. live.
  14. Web site: Dana . Taib Menmy . 'Wake up call': Deadly Iraq rocket attack puts pressure on US . 17 February 2021 . 19 February 2021 . Al Jazeera .
  15. Web site: Iraqi armed group vows more attacks on 'American occupation'. 2021-09-08. www.aljazeera.com. en. 2021-02-17. https://web.archive.org/web/20210217191208/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/2/15/north-iraq-airbase-hosting-us-troops-targeted-by-several-rockets. live.
  16. Web site: 10 March 2021. Iraq's Legal Responsibility for Militia Attacks on U.S. Forces: Paths Forward. 8 September 2021. Just Security. en-US. 31 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210531100706/https://www.justsecurity.org/75232/iraqs-legal-responsibility-for-militia-attacks-on-u-s-forces-paths-forward/. live.
  17. Web site: 16 February 2021. Iran denies links to group behind attack on Iraq's Erbil. 8 September 2021. Al Arabiya English. en. 17 February 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210217155401/https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2021/02/16/Terrorism-Iran-denies-links-to-group-behind-attack-on-Iraq-s-Erbil. live.
  18. Web site: Why the Erbil attack sent a message from Iran to Turkey. 8 September 2021. Ahval. en. 8 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210908233757/https://ahvalnews.com/turkey-iran/why-erbil-attack-sent-message-iran-turkey. live.
  19. Web site: 2021-02-17. Bombs Over Erbil. 2021-09-16. Newlines Magazine. en. 2021-07-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20210704035745/https://newlinesmag.com/reportage/bombs-over-erbil/. live.
  20. Web site: Shadowy militia organisation likely backed by Iran claims fatal Iraq attack on US base. 8 September 2021. The National. 16 February 2021. 28 February 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210228152110/https://www.thenationalnews.com/mena/iraq/shadowy-militia-organisation-likely-backed-by-iran-claims-fatal-iraq-attack-on-us-base-1.1166839. live.
  21. Web site: What Is Known About Group Claiming Attack on US Base in Irbil Voice of America – English. 9 September 2021. www.voanews.com. 16 February 2021 . en. 9 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210909000644/https://www.voanews.com/extremism-watch/what-known-about-group-claiming-attack-us-base-irbil. live.
  22. Web site: Rockets over Erbil: How to Respond to an Iraqi Militia Outrage. 16 September 2021. The Washington Institute. en. 18 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210618224410/https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/rockets-over-erbil-how-respond-iraqi-militia-outrage. live.
  23. Web site: Iran's Unconvincing Denial of Ties with Erbil Attackers. 16 September 2021. POLYGRAPH.info. 22 February 2021 . en. 25 February 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210225023407/https://www.polygraph.info/a/fact-check-iran-iraq-shiite-militia/31116050.html. live.
  24. Web site: 16 February 2021. Saraya Awliya al-Dam. 16 September 2021. IFMAT. en-US. 5 March 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210305074829/https://www.ifmat.org/02/16/saraya-awliya-al-dam/. live.
  25. Web site: Al-Aqidi. Dalia . Iraqis Living In Fear Thanks To Iran-Fueled Violence – OpEd. 17 May 2021. 16 September 2021. en-US. 7 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210907085313/https://www.eurasiareview.com/17052021-iraqis-living-in-fear-thanks-to-iran-fueled-violence-oped/. live.
  26. Web site: Western powers condemn attacks in Kurdish Iraq . 16 April 2021 . 8 September 2021 . 8 September 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210908234635/https://www.arabnews.com/node/1844056/middle-east . live .

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